U.S. patent application number 15/662759 was filed with the patent office on 2019-01-31 for method and system for simulation of forces using holographic objects.
The applicant listed for this patent is International Business Machines Corporation. Invention is credited to Harish Bharti, Abhay K. Patra, Sarbajit K. Rakshit.
Application Number | 20190033780 15/662759 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65038639 |
Filed Date | 2019-01-31 |
![](/patent/app/20190033780/US20190033780A1-20190131-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20190033780/US20190033780A1-20190131-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20190033780/US20190033780A1-20190131-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20190033780/US20190033780A1-20190131-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20190033780/US20190033780A1-20190131-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20190033780/US20190033780A1-20190131-D00005.png)
![](/patent/app/20190033780/US20190033780A1-20190131-D00006.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20190033780 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bharti; Harish ; et
al. |
January 31, 2019 |
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SIMULATION OF FORCES USING HOLOGRAPHIC
OBJECTS
Abstract
The disclosure is directed to simulating forces using
holographic objects. A method according to embodiments includes:
generating an invisible holographic object, the invisible
holographic object providing a haptic effect; displaying a visible
holographic object; aligning the visible holographic object and the
invisible holographic object to provide a visible and touchable
combined holographic object, the combined holographic object
providing the haptic effect; applying a force to the combined
holographic object, the applied force causing a displacement of the
combined holographic object and including an amplitude and
direction; and adjusting the haptic effect of the combined
holographic object to generate an adjusted haptic effect
representative of an effect of the applied force on the combined
holographic object.
Inventors: |
Bharti; Harish; (Pune,
IN) ; Patra; Abhay K.; (Pune, IN) ; Rakshit;
Sarbajit K.; (Kolkata, IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
International Business Machines Corporation |
Armonk |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
65038639 |
Appl. No.: |
15/662759 |
Filed: |
July 28, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G03H 1/0005 20130101;
G03H 1/2645 20130101; G06F 3/0304 20130101; G03H 2001/0061
20130101; G03H 3/00 20130101; G06F 3/016 20130101; G06F 3/04815
20130101; G03H 2001/0224 20130101; G03H 2001/266 20130101; G06F
3/017 20130101; G03H 2225/60 20130101; G06F 3/011 20130101; G03H
1/2294 20130101; G03H 2226/05 20130101; G09B 23/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G03H 1/00 20060101
G03H001/00; G06F 3/01 20060101 G06F003/01; G06F 3/0481 20060101
G06F003/0481; G06F 3/03 20060101 G06F003/03; G09B 23/10 20060101
G09B023/10 |
Claims
1. A method for simulating forces using holographic objects,
comprising: generating an invisible holographic object, the
invisible holographic object providing a haptic effect; displaying
a visible holographic object; aligning the visible holographic
object and the invisible holographic object to provide a visible
and touchable combined holographic object, the combined holographic
object providing the haptic effect; applying a force to the
combined holographic object, the applied force causing a
displacement of the combined holographic object and including an
amplitude and direction; and adjusting the haptic effect of the
combined holographic object to generate an adjusted haptic effect
representative of an effect of the applied force on the combined
holographic object.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the applied force
includes at least one of a pull force, push force, drag force,
rotational force, or impact force.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the force is applied to
at least one contact point on the combined holographic object, and
wherein the haptic effect is adjusted at the at least one contact
point.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the invisible
holographic object is generated using ultrasonic waves.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein adjusting the haptic
effect of the combined holographic object includes varying an
intensity of the ultrasonic waves to generate the adjusted haptic
effect.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein adjusting the haptic
effect of the combined holographic object includes scaling, based
on a scaling factor, the applied force to provide a scaled force,
wherein the adjusted haptic effect corresponds to the scaled
force.
7. The method according to claim 6, further including displaying
the scale factor with the combined holographic object.
8. The method according to claim 1, further including interacting
with the combined holographic object and experiencing the adjusted
haptic effect of the combined holographic object.
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein aligning the visible
holographic object and the invisible holographic object to provide
the combined holographic object further includes: assigning a
reference point to the invisible holographic object; and displaying
the visible holographic object such that it remains aligned with
the reference point in response to a displacement of the reference
point.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the reference point
surrounds the invisible holographic object.
11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the applied force
displaces the combined holographic object toward a second combined
holographic object, the method including; determining a collision
force of the combined holographic object and the second combined
holographic object; and adjusting the haptic effects of the
combined holographic object and the second combined holographic
object based on the collision force.
12. A computerized system for simulating forces using holographic
objects by performing a method, the method comprising: generating
an invisible holographic object using ultrasonic waves, the
invisible holographic object providing a haptic effect; displaying
a visible holographic object; aligning the visible holographic
object and the invisible holographic object to provide a visible
and touchable combined holographic object, the combined holographic
object providing the haptic effect; applying a force to the
combined holographic object, the applied force causing a
displacement of the combined holographic object and including an
amplitude and direction; and adjusting the haptic effect of the
combined holographic object to generate an adjusted haptic effect
representative of an effect of the applied force on the combined
holographic object.
13. The computerized system according to claim 12, wherein the
applied force includes at least one of a pull force, push force,
drag force, rotational force, or impact force, wherein the force is
applied to at least one contact point on the combined holographic
object, and wherein the haptic effect is adjusted at the at least
one contact point.
14. The computerized system according to claim 12, wherein
adjusting the haptic effect of the combined holographic object
includes varying an intensity of the ultrasonic waves to generate
the adjusted haptic effect.
15. The computerized system according to claim 12, wherein
adjusting the haptic effect of the combined holographic object
includes scaling, based on a scaling factor, the applied force to
provide a scaled force, wherein the adjusted haptic effect
corresponds to the scaled force.
16. The computerized system according to claim 15, further
including displaying the scale factor with the combined holographic
object.
17. The computerized system according to claim 12, further
including interacting with the combined holographic object and
experiencing the adjusted haptic effect of the combined holographic
object.
18. The computerized system according to claim 12, wherein aligning
the visible holographic object and the invisible holographic object
to provide the combined holographic object further includes:
assigning a reference point to the invisible holographic object;
and displaying the visible holographic object such that it remains
aligned with the reference point in response to a displacement of
the reference point.
19. The computerized system according to claim 18, wherein the
reference point surrounds the invisible holographic object.
20. A computer program product stored on a computer readable
storage medium, which when executed by a computer system, performs
a method for simulating forces using holographic objects, the
method including: generating an invisible holographic object, the
invisible holographic object providing a haptic effect; displaying
a visible holographic object; aligning the visible holographic
object and the invisible holographic object to provide a visible
and touchable combined holographic object, the combined holographic
object providing the haptic effect; applying a force to the
combined holographic object, the applied force causing a
displacement of the combined holographic object and including an
amplitude and direction; and adjusting the haptic effect of the
combined holographic object to generate an adjusted haptic effect
representative of an effect of the applied force on the combined
holographic object.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to holography, and
more particularly, to a method, system, and computer program
product for the simulation of forces using holographic objects.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Holographic systems have been developed that are capable of
projecting three-dimensional holographic objects in mid-air. Some
of these holographic systems are capable of generating a haptic
effect when a user touches a holographic object. The haptic effect
may be provided, for example, using ultrasonic waves to generate an
invisible holographic object. Such holographic systems, however,
are directed to the display of static holographic objects, which
limits the usefulness of these systems.
SUMMARY
[0003] A first aspect of the invention provides a method for
simulating forces using holographic objects, including: generating
an invisible holographic object, the invisible holographic object
providing a haptic effect; displaying a visible holographic object;
aligning the visible holographic object and the invisible
holographic object to provide a visible and touchable combined
holographic object, the combined holographic object providing the
haptic effect; applying a force to the combined holographic object,
the applied force causing a displacement of the combined
holographic object and including an amplitude and direction; and
adjusting the haptic effect of the combined holographic object to
generate an adjusted haptic effect representative of an effect of
the applied force on the combined holographic object.
[0004] A second aspect of the invention provides a computerized
system for simulating forces using holographic objects by
performing a method, the method including: generating an invisible
holographic object, the invisible holographic object providing a
haptic effect; displaying a visible holographic object; aligning
the visible holographic object and the invisible holographic object
to provide a visible and touchable combined holographic object, the
combined holographic object providing the haptic effect; applying a
force to the combined holographic object, the applied force causing
a displacement of the combined holographic object and including an
amplitude and direction; and adjusting the haptic effect of the
combined holographic object to generate an adjusted haptic effect
representative of an effect of the applied force on the combined
holographic object.
[0005] A third aspect of the invention provides a computer program
product stored on a computer readable storage medium, which when
executed by a computer system, performs a method for simulating
forces using holographic objects, the method including: generating
an invisible holographic object, the invisible holographic object
providing a haptic effect; displaying a visible holographic object;
aligning the visible holographic object and the invisible
holographic object to provide a visible and touchable combined
holographic object, the combined holographic object providing the
haptic effect; applying a force to the combined holographic object,
the applied force causing a displacement of the combined
holographic object and including an amplitude and direction; and
adjusting the haptic effect of the combined holographic object to
generate an adjusted haptic effect representative of an effect of
the applied force on the combined holographic object.
[0006] Other aspects of the invention provide methods, systems,
program products, and methods of using and generating each, which
include and/or implement some or all of the actions described
herein. The illustrative aspects of the invention are designed to
solve one or more of the problems herein described and/or one or
more other problems not discussed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] These and other features of the disclosure will be more
readily understood from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings that depict various
aspects of the invention.
[0008] FIG. 1 depicts a system for simulating forces using
holographic objects according to embodiments.
[0009] FIG. 2 depicts the system for simulating forces using
holographic objects of FIG. 1, wherein a push force has been
applied to a holographic object according to embodiments.
[0010] FIG. 3 depicts the system for simulating forces using
holographic objects of FIG. 1, wherein a pull force has been
applied to a holographic object according to embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 4 depicts the system for simulating forces using
holographic objects of FIG. 1, wherein a impact force has been
applied to a user's finger by a pair of colliding holographic
objects.
[0012] FIG. 5 depicts a processing system for simulating forces
using holographic objects according to embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 6 depicts a process for simulating forces using
holographic objects according to embodiments.
[0014] The drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are
merely schematic representations, not intended to portray specific
parameters of the invention. The drawings are intended to depict
only typical embodiments of the invention, and therefore should not
be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In the
drawings, like numbering represents like elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The present invention relates generally to holography, and
more particularly, to a method, system, and computer program
product for the simulation of forces using haptic-enabled
holographic objects. An immersive experience is provided, allowing
users to feel, touch, and interact with holographic objects in a
dynamic manner.
[0016] According to embodiments, users may interact with a
haptic-enabled holographic object, which may or may not be in
motion, by applying an external force, such as a push force, pull
force, rotational force, impact force, drag force, etc., to the
holographic object. The holographic object is displaced in response
to the applied force. A user's finger/hand movement pattern and
direction of applied force are tracked using a camera or other
suitable device. Various force components are calculated based on
the tracking to: adjust the haptic effect associated with the
holographic object to allow the user to experience the force
applied to the holographic object; and displace the holographic
object to allow the user to visualize the influence of the applied
force on the holographic object.
[0017] A holographic system 10 for generating a holographic object
12 (e.g., a soccer ball) according to embodiments is depicted in
FIG. 1. The holographic object 12 is formed by a combination of an
invisible holographic object 14 that provides a haptic effect and a
visible holographic object 16.
[0018] An array of holographic projectors 18 are employed to
generate the visible holographic object 16 in a known manner. The
invisible holographic object 14 is produced by an array of
ultrasound transducers 20. Ultrasonic sound waves 22 generated by
the array of ultrasound transducers 20 produce an effect known as
acoustic radiation force to create a pressure sensation that can be
felt by a user 24 (e.g., by a finger 26 or other portion of a hand
28 of the user 24). A set of driver circuits 30 for the ultrasound
transducers 20 can be controlled dynamically, via a controller 32,
to adjust the acoustic radiation force based on forces acting on
the holographic object 12, as will be described in greater detail
below.
[0019] A reference point 34 is set by the controller 32 for the
creation of the holographic object 12. According to embodiments,
the invisible holographic object 14 and the visible holographic
object 16 are generated and aligned to form the holographic object
12 at a location in space given by the reference point 34. The
reference point 34 may encircle the entire holographic object 12,
as shown in FIG. 1, may be located at the center of the holographic
object 12, or may be located elsewhere. In any case, the invisible
holographic object 14 and the visible holographic object 16 are
generated and aligned in accordance with the location of the
reference point 34 to form the holographic object 12. If the
reference point moves in space, the holographic object 12 is moved
accordingly by the controller 32 such that it remains aligned with
the reference point 34.
[0020] A tracking system 36, coupled to the controller 30, is used
to track the location and movement of the user's hand 26 and/or
finger 28 relative to the reference point 34 (and thus the
holographic object 12). The tracking system 36 may, for example,
include a camera. Other tracking methods may also be used.
[0021] The controller 32 is configured to control the intensity of
the haptic effect experienced by the user 24, based upon the force
(or scaled version thereof) applied to the holographic object 12 by
the user 24. For example, the user 24 may interact with the
holographic object 12 by applying a force at a contact point (or
multiple contact points) on the holographic object 12, which may be
stationary (FIG. 2) or moving in space (FIG. 3). The force may
include, for example, a pull force, push force, drag force,
rotational force, impact force, or other type of applied force. In
response to the applied force, the controller 32 adjusts the
acoustic radiation force (and thus the haptic effect) generated by
the ultrasound transducers 20 at the contact point on the
holographic object 12 based, for example, on the magnitude of the
applied force. That is, the haptic effect at the contact point on
the holographic object 12 is proportional to the force applied by
the user 24 to the holographic object 12 at the contact point.
[0022] The controller 32 is further configured to control the
reaction (e.g., displacement) of the holographic object 12 in
response to the applied force. A physics engine 40 is provided to
calculate, based on the laws of physics, the force (e.g.,
magnitude, direction) and components thereof applied to the
holographic object 12 by the user 24 or applied by the holographic
object 12 to the user 24, and the resultant behavior of the
holographic object 12 in response to the applied force.
[0023] According to embodiments, the acoustic radiation force, and
thus the haptic effect of the holographic object 12, is adjusted at
the point of contact by the controller 32, based on the applied
force. The acoustic radiation force can be controlled dynamically
by the controller 32 in accordance with the formula:
F=2.alpha.l/c
where .alpha. is the absorption coefficient I is the ultrasound
intensity, and c is the longitudinal wave speed in the medium. In
this case, the absorption coefficient .alpha. and the longitudinal
wave speed c are substantially constant, but the amount of force F
can be controlled by varying the ultrasonic intensity I. The
ultrasonic intensity I can thus be varied to control the acoustic
radiation force (and haptic effect) exhibited by the holographic
object 12 at the contact point in response to different applied
forces.
[0024] In FIG. 2, the user 24 has applied a force to a holographic
object 12, in this case a push force at a contact point 42 (or
plurality of contact points 42) on the holographic object 12. The
tracking system 36 tracks the user's hand 26 and/or finger 28 as it
approaches (arrow A) and contacts the holographic object 12 at the
contact point 42. Based on the tracking (e.g., the speed and
direction of movement of the user's hand 26 and/or finger 28), the
characteristics of the real life equivalent of the holographic
object 12 (e.g., size, weight, shape, velocity, etc.), and/or the
location of the contact point 42 on the holographic object 12, the
physics engine 40 determines how much force will be applied to the
holographic object 12, as well as the response (arrow B) of the
holographic object 12 to the applied force (e.g., away from the
user 24 in FIG. 2). Based on the force information provided by the
physics engine 40, the controller 32 adjusts (via a change in the
acoustic radiation force) the haptic effect of the holographic
object 12 at the contact point 42 accordingly. For example, the
greater the applied force at the contact point 42, the greater the
haptic effect generated at the contact point 42 on the holographic
object 12 and experienced by the user 24. Similarly, the smaller
the applied force at the contact point 42, the smaller the haptic
effect generated at the contact point 42 on the holographic object
12 and experienced by the user 24.
[0025] In addition to adjusting the haptic effect of the
holographic object 12 at the contact point 42, the physics module
40 determines how the holographic object 12 will respond to the
applied force and provides this information to the controller 32.
The controller 32 then displaces the reference point 34
accordingly, and instructs the array of holographic projectors 18
and the array of ultrasound transducers 20 to generate and align
the visible holographic object 16 and the invisible holographic
object 14 at the reference point 34 as the reference point 34 moves
is space in response to the applied force. Advantageously, the user
24 can not only feel (via the haptic effect) the application of the
force to the holographic object 12, but also observe how the
applied force affects the holographic object 12. To this extent,
the holographic system 10 can be used, for example, in an
educational setting (e.g., a physics classroom) to provide students
with an interactive and dynamic experience.
[0026] According to embodiments, the feel and reaction of each
individual holographic object 12 in response an applied force may
be proportional (e.g., on a scale) to its real world counterpart,
thereby providing a rich and immersive experience to the user 24.
The applied force may be by scaled, for example based on a scaling
factor 44 (e.g., 1/100, 1/10, etc.) to provide a scaled force,
wherein the haptic effect of the holographic object 12 at the
contact point 42 is adjusted to correspond to the scaled force.
When created, each different holographic object 12 will be uniquely
assigned a specific range of haptic effects corresponding to a
specific range of applied forces, including a maximum and minimum
force. In this way, just as in the real world, each different
holographic object 12 will react in a distinct manner in response
to a given applied force. As depicted in FIG. 2, the scaling factor
44 may be displayed adjacent the holographic object 12.
[0027] In FIG. 3, the user 24 has applied a force to a holographic
object 12, in this case a pull force at a contact point 42 (or
plurality of contact points 42) on the holographic object 12. The
tracking system 36 tracks the user's hand 26 and/or finger as it
approaches (arrow C) and contacts the holographic object 12 at the
contact point 42. Based on the tracking (e.g., the speed and
direction of movement of the user's hand 26 and/or finger), the
characteristics of the real life equivalent of the holographic
object 12 (e.g., size, weight, shape, velocity, etc.), and/or the
location of the contact point 42 on the holographic object 12, the
physics engine 40 determines how much force will be applied to the
holographic object 12, as well as the response (arrow D) of the
holographic object 12 to the applied force (e.g., toward the user
24 in FIG. 3). Based on the force information provided by the
physics engine 40, the controller 32 adjusts (via a change in the
acoustic radiation force) the haptic effect of the holographic
object 12 at the contact point 42 accordingly.
[0028] According to embodiments, other types of forces, such as a
drag force, rotational force, impact force, etc., may also be
applied to the holographic object 12 by the user 24. Regardless of
the type of force applied by the user 24 to the holographic object
12, the controller 32 is configured to displace the holographic
object 12 based on the force applied by the user 24. According to
other embodiments, the controller 32 may generate and displace one
or more holographic objects 12 in space independently of the user
24 (at least initially). The user 24 may interact with the moving
holographic object(s) 12 and experience the force(s) associated
moving holographic object(s) 12. An example of this behavior is
depicted in FIG. 4, wherein a pair of holographic objects 12A, 12B
are generated and displaced toward each other under control of the
controller 32.
[0029] In FIG. 4, the pair of holographic objects 12A, 12B are
generated and displaced as indicated by arrows X and Y toward an
impact point 46 under control of the controller 32. The user 24 has
placed a finger 28 at the impact point 46 in order to experience
the impact force generated at the impact point 46 by the collision
of the pair of holographic objects 12A, 12B. When the controller 32
determines that the reference points 34A, 34B of the pair of
holographic objects 12A, 12B have reached the impact point 46, the
controller 32 adjusts the acoustic radiation force (and thus the
haptic effect) of the pair of holographic objects 12A, 12B at the
impact point 46, allowing the user 24 to experience the collision
of the pair of holographic objects 12A, 12B. As in the previously
described examples, the physics engine 40 determines how much force
will be applied to the finger 28 of the user at the impact point 46
by the pair of holographic objects 12A, 12B, based on the
characteristics of the real life equivalent of the holographic
objects 12A, 12B (e.g., size, weight, shape, velocity, etc.), which
may be scaled in accordance with the scale factor 44. Based on the
determined force, the haptic effect of the pair of holographic
objects 12A, 12B at the impact point 46 is adjusted.
[0030] As detailed above, the holographic system 10 may be used in
an educational setting where users may interact with one or more
stationary and/or moving holographic objects 12. Another
application is in the field of entertainment. For example,
holographic objects 12 may be generated and displayed coming out of
a movie screen (e.g., during a 3-D movie). The holographic objects
12 may be displaced such that they appear to be rushing from the
screen toward a user in the movie theater. The holographic objects
12 may be grabbed by the user or may impact against the user's
body. This immersive interaction enhances the user's experience
during the playing of a movie.
[0031] The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a
computer program product. The computer program product may include
a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer
readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to
carry out aspects of the present invention.
[0032] The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible
device that can retain and store instructions for use by an
instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium
may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage
device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an
electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or
any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of
more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium
includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk,
a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable
programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static
random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only
memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a
floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or
raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon,
and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable
storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being
transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely
propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves
propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g.,
light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical
signals transmitted through a wire.
[0033] Computer readable program instructions described herein can
be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a
computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or
external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a
local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network.
The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical
transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls,
switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter
card or network interface in each computing/processing device
receives computer readable program instructions from the network
and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage
in a computer readable storage medium within the respective
computing/processing device.
[0034] Computer readable program instructions for carrying out
operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions,
instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine
instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware
instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object
code written in any combination of one or more programming
languages, including an object oriented programming language such
as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural
programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or
similar programming languages. The computer readable program
instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on
the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on
the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on
the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote
computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type
of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area
network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external
computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet
Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry
including, for example, programmable logic circuitry,
field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays
(PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by
utilizing state information of the computer readable program
instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to
perform aspects of the present invention.
[0035] Aspects of the present invention are described herein with
reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of
methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products
according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood
that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block
diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations
and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable
program instructions.
[0036] These computer readable program instructions may be provided
to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose
computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to
produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via
the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing
apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts
specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in
a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a
programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to
function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable
storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an
article of manufacture including instructions which implement
aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block
diagram block or blocks.
[0037] The computer readable program instructions may also be
loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing
apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps
to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or
other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that
the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable
apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified
in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0038] The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate
the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible
implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products
according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this
regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent
a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one
or more executable instructions for implementing the specified
logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the
functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in
the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in
fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may
sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the
functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of
the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations
of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can
be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that
perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations
of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
[0039] While it is understood that the program product of the
present invention may be manually loaded directly in a computer
system via a storage medium such as a CD, DVD, etc., the program
product may also be automatically or semi-automatically deployed
into a computer system by sending the program product to a central
server or a group of central servers. The program product may then
be downloaded into client computers that will execute the program
product. Alternatively the program product may be sent directly to
a client system via e-mail. The program product may then either be
detached to a directory or loaded into a directory by a button on
the e-mail that executes a program that detaches the program
product into a directory. Another alternative is to send the
program product directly to a directory on a client computer hard
drive.
[0040] FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative processing system 100 (e.g.,
within a mobile device) for implementing the present invention,
according to embodiments. The processing system 100 may comprise
any type of computing device and, and for example includes at least
one processor, memory, an input/output (I/O) (e.g., one or more I/O
interfaces and/or devices), and a communications pathway. In
general, processor(s) execute program code, which is at least
partially fixed in memory. While executing program code,
processor(s) can process data, which can result in reading and/or
writing transformed data from/to memory and/or I/O for further
processing. The pathway provides a communications link between each
of the components in processing system 100. I/O can comprise one or
more human I/O devices, which enable a user to interact with
processing system 100.
[0041] FIG. 6 depicts a process for simulating forces using
holographic objects according to embodiments. At P1, a holographic
object is generated and displayed. At P2, a user's hand and/or
finger are tracked relative to the holographic object. At P3, a
force applied by the user's hand and/or finger to the holographic
object is determined. At P4, the haptic effect at the point of
contact between the user's hand and/or finger and the holographic
object is adjusted based on the applied force. At P5, the
holographic object is displaced in response to the applied
force.
[0042] The foregoing description of various aspects of the
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously, many
modifications and variations are possible. Such modifications and
variations that may be apparent to an individual skilled in the art
are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the
accompanying claims.
* * * * *